May 24
Finding Rest
in the Storm
"Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28 (NIrV)
Asher stared at the glow of his computer screen, the cursor blinking mockingly. The spreadsheet was only half complete, but it was already 1 a.m. His shoulders ached, and his eyes burned from hours of staring at the screen. The pressure was relentless—he couldn’t afford to fall behind. His boss had made it clear: there was no room for errors, and the deadlines weren’t negotiable.
He rubbed his temples, trying to focus, but his thoughts wandered to his wife and two young children. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat down for dinner with them or read a bedtime story to his daughter. Guilt gnawed at him, but fear kept him glued to his desk. Losing this job wasn’t an option.
One evening, as Asher packed up his laptop to head home long after everyone else had left the office, he noticed a note tucked into his bag. It was from his wife. In her careful handwriting, it read:
"Asher, I know you’re working so hard for us, but don’t forget you’re not alone. Jesus says to bring your burdens to Him. Let Him carry what you can’t. We love you."
Her words stopped him in his tracks. When he got home, he sat in his parked car and pulled out his phone to read Matthew 11:28. As he read Jesus’ promise to give rest to the weary, something stirred in his heart.
That night, Asher knelt beside his bed for the first time in months. “Lord,” he whispered, “I don’t know how to handle this anymore. I’m exhausted, and I feel like I’m failing at everything. Please, take this burden. Help me trust You to provide for my family.”
The next morning, Asher woke up with a surprising sense of peace. He began to approach his work differently—not with fear, but with faith. He still worked hard, but he set boundaries, leaving time for his family and rest. When the anxiety crept in, he reminded himself of Jesus’ promise.
Over time, Asher’s relationships with his wife and children deepened, and he even found himself more productive at work. The burdens hadn’t disappeared, but they no longer felt unbearable.
Prayer:
Thank You for inviting us to bring our heavy loads to You.
We are so grateful for Your promise to give rest to the weary.
Lord, I pray for anyone feeling overwhelmed like Asher.
Help them to remember that they are not alone.
Teach us to trust You with our burdens, knowing that You are strong enough to carry what we cannot.
Give us the wisdom to balance our responsibilities and the courage to set aside time for rest and connection with those we love.
Thank You for being our source of peace and strength.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
